Let’s be real: Many of us aren’t born with thick tresses, smooth strands or controlled curls. In fact, many of us have thinning hair or bald spots that we hide with our favorite men’s hair products.
Don’t be embarrassed if you can relate. After all, nearly 7 out of 10 men battle hair loss by age 35, and that figure jumps to 85% by age 50. Even if hair loss doesn’t affect you yet, you probably still fight frizz or have other styling snafus right now.
That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the best hair products for men just like you. Our experts covered the best of every men’s hair product category, from must-have mousses to strand-taming styling creams. We’re confident you’ll find the perfect product for your hair on our list of faves, whether you’ve got thick locks, short strands or some type of ‘do in between.
Already know which type of product you need? Check out our men’s hair reviews geared toward specific products such as pomade, gel, cream, wax, and clay.
#1 Best Pomade for Men
Uppercut Deluxe Pomade Set
- Strong hold
- Noticeable shine
- Easy to apply
Pros
Restyling is an option if you add a bit of water to your hair first. Behaves like a gel, so it’s easy to apply and remove.
Product Ratings
8.8/10
Who it’s for: Guys who like shine. You won’t glow like MC Hammer’s metallic pants from the 80s, but you also won’t have the natural look or texture of a styling cream. The shine is noticeable but not over the the top.
It’s also best for guys with short, thick hair. Long hair may end up weighed down by this heavy product. You should also avoid it if you’ve got super dry hair, as you may end up with a crispy, crunchy ‘do.
Scent: Surprisingly nice! The simple packaging implies that you’ll end up with a masculine scent, but this pomade actually smells like vanilla and coconut. Pina colada, anyone?
Performance: Impressive. This pomade lasts all day – so make sure you’re ready to commit to your style til bedtime. If you aren’t, you can restyle your hair with a bit of water since the pomade has a water-based formula.
Price: Less than $30 for 2 containers of this long-lasting pomade.
#2 Best Hair Gel for Men
American Crew Firm Hold Styling Gel
- Firm hold
- Doesn’t cause flakes
- Nondrying formula
Pros
Suitable for nearly every hair type, including thick hair and curly hair. Leaves behind body and shine, not flakes or stickiness.
Product Ratings
8.3/10
Who it’s for: Anyone who loves the strong hold of gel! American Crew firm hold gel puts your locks on lockdown no matter what type of hair you have, whether you’ve got short curls or shoulder-length strands.
You might have some issues if your hair is super long or really thick, but aside from that, this gel works for almost everyone.
Scent: Incredible! Guys can’t stop talking about how much they love the light, manly scent. It does fade throughout the day, so don’t skip your regular cologne.
Performance: This nondrying gel gets the job done without leaving behind flakes or residue. Sure, it’s not as natural as a styling cream or mousse, but you won’t look ridiculously overdone either.
Ginseng, Panama bark, and sage join forces with dual polymers and polypropylene glycol to thicken your hair and hold it in place. Vitamin B5 nourishes your strands while sculpting them into your preferred style, whether you like rockstar-worthy spikes or defined curls.
Price: Less than $10 for 8.45 fl. oz. of firm-holding hair gel. If you go through this stuff like water, get one of the larger sizes geared toward salon stylists.
#3 Best Wax for Men
TIGI Bed Head B for Men Matte Separation Workable Wax, 3 oz.
- Volumizing formula
- Lasting hold
- Suitable for most hair types
Pros
Works on wet, dry, or damp hair. Effectively withstands the elements, whether you’re battling heavy winds or mowing the lawn on a hot, humid day.
Product Ratings
8.9/10
Who it’s for: Almost everyone! This wax styling product works on thick, thin, long, or short hair, though users do report some issues with long, curly hair.
Use it as soon as you step out of the shower, or apply it to dry or towel-dried hair. Add it to damp hair if you’re looking for volume and dry hair if you need a heavy hold.
Scent: Light and pleasant. Like many TIGI products, the aroma has a hint of fruit. We noticed some lemongrass, too.
Performance: Your style stays strong from morning to night when you lightly coat your hair with this TIGI wax. It also creates volume and texture without the dreaded sheen many heavy-hold products leave behind.
Price: Around $10 to $15 depending on where you buy it.
#4 Best Hair Clay for Men
K+S Salon Styling Clay for Men
- Easy to use
- Lasting hold
- Pleasant scent
Pros
Natural-looking matte finish. We dig the satisfaction guarantee; the company says you should never trust a man who doesn’t stand behind his product.
Product Ratings
8.9/10
Who it’s for: Guys who want a natural matte look with long-lasting hold. It lasts longer than styling cream but isn’t always as strong as a wax or pomade.
The toothpaste-like formula is surprisingly easy to apply and glides smoothly through your locks. Hit your clay-coated hair with the blowdryer for a minute or two if you want some extra volume.
Scent: Users either love it or hate it. It’s definitely not manly, but, to be fair, some guys get tired of smelling like trees and wood. Men struggle to pinpoint the exact scent, but most say it reminds them of jasmine, coconut, or pineapple.
Performance: Expect 12 to 14 hours of staying power from this hair clay. It rinses out easily and has a medium hold. Pair it with other styling products if you need a heavy hold.
Price: Around $14, which is average for a product like this.
#5 Best Hair Brush for Men
Kent MG3 Gentleman’s Hair Brush
- Lasts for years – possibly even a lifetime
- Compact size
- Natural bristles
Pros
Appropriate for nearly every hair type, from fine hair to curly locks. Resilient design effectively resists wear and tear from daily use.
Product Ratings
8.3/10
Who it’s for: Men with long hair, short hair, wavy hair, curly hair, thick hair, thin hair…pretty much everyone! We’ve only heard complaints from a handful of men, and it’s because they have sensitive scalps. The natural bristles are a bit rough on delicate noggins.
Performance: Dependable. This is the kind of brush that transitions easily from your teen years to your 30s and 40s. In fact, some men brag it lasts for 20+ years.
It glides effortlessly through knots and kinks, helping you manage your mane with minimal effort.
Price: Expect to shell out nearly $60 for this military brush. It’s worth the price, though, since it lasts so long. Remember how Dad used to say it’s better to have one quality item than 20 cheap ones?
#6 Best Styling Cream for Men
American Crew Forming Cream, 3 oz.
- Long-lasting hold
- Leaves hair pliable, not stiff
- Doesn’t leave behind flakes or residue
Pros
American Crew is a trusted brand that appears more than once on our list of the best men’s hair products. This styling cream creates a natural look that stands up to your daily demands, whether you’re meeting with clients at the office or chasing after your kids at the playground.
Product Ratings
8.3/10
Who it’s for: Guys with thick hair and/or short hair who prefer to style their hair while it’s damp or dry. Styling cream creates a natural, manageable style that doesn’t feel sticky or clumpy when you run your fingers through it.
Scent: Hints of citrus extract emerge from the sweet yet masculine scent. As with most American Crew products, users love the smell of this hair cream.
Performance: This product delivers a long-lasting hold but washes out easily because it’s a water-based formula. Your style won’t survive a marathon on a hot summer day or an extreme workout at the gym, but this cream powers through nearly everything else.
Price: Around $13 or $14 for 3 ounces.
#7 Best Mousse for Men
GIOVANNI COSMETICS- Eco Chic Natural Hair Styling Mousse- Air-Turbo Charged Styling Foam
- Neutral scent
- Easy to apply
- Lasting hold
Pros
Organic, cruelty-free ingredients that are sulfate free and infused with herbal extracts. The clear formula is even biodegradable – which is definitely awesome if you consider the days when ozone-damaging Aqua Net ruled the hair scene.
Product Ratings
8.1/10
Who it’s for: Mousse, regardless of the brand, is almost always best for fine hair. That’s true for this GIOVANNI mousse, too. You can use it on medium-thick hair, but it just won’t work as well as it does on thin hair.
This mousse works especially well if you blow-dry your thin tresses instead of letting them air dry. Your hair may look flat or greasy if you let it air dry with too much of this mousse.
Scent: Many guys have a preconceived notion that mousse smells awful – and they aren’t wrong. Fortunately, this GIOVANNI mousse has a neutral scent that won’t overpower the office or suffocate your buddies during Happy Hour.
Hints of lavender and rosemary extract soften and smooth your hair while leaving behind a pleasant herbal aroma. It’s not overly feminine or overly macho; it just smells fresh, clean, and natural.
Performance: The bottle promises a medium to firm hold, but let’s be realistic: Mousse isn’t wax or clay. You aren’t going to get a super-firm hold with this GIOVANNI mousse, but it does provide a light, natural-looking hold similar to that of a styling cream.
The mousse feels heavy and slick when you first apply it, but don’t let that scare you. It adds volume and shine to your hair while holding your style in place with organic ingredients like frizz-fighting aloe vera.
Price: Around $20 or $25 for seven 3-oz. bottles of cruelty-free hair mousse.
#8 Best Conditioner for Men
ArtNaturals Sulfate Free Argan Oil Conditioner
- Softens hair
- Natural ingredients
- Pleasant scent
Pros
Sulfate free, paraben free, phthalate free, vegan, ethically sourced…this conditioner is an natural-minded man’s dream come true. It stimulates your scalp and encourages hair production while soothing damaged tresses.
Product Ratings
8.3/10
Who it’s for: This is a unisex conditioner that’s popular with men, as shown by thousands of positive reviews online and rave reviews on Tools of Men and Balding Beards. It’s best for dry hair, but it’s suitable for all hair types.
Scent: Men say this conditioner smells amazing, though they often disagree about exactly what it smells like. Ingredients include rich argan oil, smooth coconut oil, and herbal thyme and rosemary extracts.
All of the ingredients are vegan and natural. They’re also phthalate free, sulfate free, and paraben free.
Performance: This soothing, smoothing conditioner hydrates even super dry hair thanks to a therapeutic blend of oils and herbs. It revitalizes hair follicles, encouraging growth and reducing breakage.
Oh, and it gives your hair shine without weighing it down or making it look greasy. Many men say this is their go-to conditioner for everyday hair care.
Price: Less than $20 for 16 fl. oz. That’s a fair price, especially since a bottle should last at least a couple months depending on how long and thick your hair is.
#9 Best Shampoo for Men
Krieger + Söhne Man Series Shampoo
- Suitable for all hair types
- Invigorating formula
- Natural ingredients
Pros
Helps banish flakes and dry skin by stimulating your scalp with tea tree oil. Made in the USA and not tested on animals.
Product Ratings
8.1/10
Who it’s for: Everyone! K + S Man Series shampoo effectively cleanses a variety of hair types, from long, thick locks to short, oily strands. Men love that it helps banish dandruff and leaves their scalps and hair feeling clean.
Scent: An invigorating blend of natural ingredients, including tea tree oil and peppermint. Users describe the scent as fresh and energizing.
This is a cruelty-free shampoo, so the ingredients mentioned above – and the others in the shampoo – aren’t tested on animals.
Performance: This shampoo cleans your hair without stripping all of its natural oils. You’ll end up with smooth, shiny hair rather than brittle strands. A little goes a long way, so no need to lather up with a giant glob of this men’s shampoo.
For maximum results, pair it with the Man Series conditioner plus your preferred Krieger + Söhne styling products.
Price: Around $1 for ounce, which is reasonable if you’re used to purchasing salon-quality hair care products.
